How to lower nitrates when tap water is already 20 ppm.

[tlindsey]

For tanks where the root system are safe from the fish, I just secure the plants to the tank or canopy.
View attachment 1150445 View attachment 1150446

xraycer have you ever trimmed the roots of the pothos in the shower caddie? Btw great looking plant.

 

[xraycer]

Just out of curiosity how are algae scrubbers compared to pothos. More or less effective. I'm planning a large tank build or buy if the right one comes up for my datnoids. I'm going to plan it out to have some nitrate removal in the sump. I have time to do it right since the dats are about 2" now and in there grow out. Let me know what you guys think or your experiences.

I have no personal experience with algae scrubbers, but they will require a lot more lighting than pothos. Effectiveness of nitrate removal.....I have no idea

xraycer have you ever trimmed the roots of the pothos in the shower caddie? Btw great looking plant.

No, the fish does it for me
.....and thank you!

 

[Chockful O Phail]

Just out of curiosity how are algae scrubbers compared to pothos. More or less effective. I'm planning a large tank build or buy if the right one comes up for my datnoids. I'm going to plan it out to have some nitrate removal in the sump. I have time to do it right since the dats are about 2" now and in there grow out. Let me know what you guys think or your experiences.

This is a 20 gallon petco tank fed off the return of my sump. It then gravity feeds back to the sump. The lights are led plant lights on the same timer as the tank. The pothos has been there for three months now and started off as half of a Walmart pothos hanger for like 6$. I've stopped checking nitrates and just do 1 large water change a week now where it was twice a week. The water change is for just fresh water for the fish now. I had the same 20g set up as an algae scrubber before hand and it did ok but the maintenance and the evaporation was too much.

 

[rich4297]

View attachment 1151034
This is a 20 gallon petco tank fed off the return of my sump. It then gravity feeds back to the sump. The lights are led plant lights on the same timer as the tank. The pothos has been there for three months now and started off as half of a Walmart pothos hanger for like 6$. I've stopped checking nitrates and just do 1 large water change a week now where it was twice a week. The water change is for just fresh water for the fish now. I had the same 20g set up as an algae scrubber before hand and it did ok but the maintenance and the evaporation was too much.

What size pump do you use to feed the pothos tank? Also did you drill the tank to make it flow back to the sump or some other means. Thanks for the reply. Nice setup

 

[Chockful O Phail]

I use a jebao dc12000 on a 125 with a eshopps sump the return y's off the pump with two returns for the tank and another line to the pothos. A ball valve on the pothos line ensures most of the flow returns to the 125 but some goes to the 20g that is drilled on the side and returns to the sump.

 

[markstrimaran]

I wish I could use Pothos. Unfortunately my wife's cat would eat it and get sick. I have some moss going but it can't seem to keep up with the secretive overfeeding. That occurs while I am at work.
So far the pumice based denitratify substrate has brought it down into the 10ppm. From well over 200ppm. I am experimenting with my UG flow rates, trying to hold a 60 dpm drip.
I really need a small dosing pump. The iv drip from the veterinarian needs to be checked daily.